Vice President Kamala Harris spent this past weekend interviewing the top contenders on her VP shortlist, meeting in person at her home in Washington, DC with Govs. Tim Waltz and Josh Shapiroand Arizona sensors. Mark Kelly.
It was only 16 days ago that President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, and Harris and her investigative team, led by former Attorney General Eric Holder, were operating on a shorter time frame. The review team initially cast a wide net, with more than a dozen people under consideration. That list was quickly shortened, and nine people were formally asked to submit review materials.
It’s a lengthy process and one that would typically take months — but Holder, along with his vetting team led by former White House counsel Dana Remus, campaign chair Jen O’Malley Dillon, campaign manager Sheila Nix and Harris’ brother-in-law Tony West — concluded his work on Friday and turned it over to Harris for a final decision.
Harris met with his vetting team on Saturday and received extensive briefings on each candidate under consideration. She would then interview her top choices.
Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a campaign rally with and Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz at Girard College, Aug. 6, 2024, in Philadelphia.
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After Harris’ interview with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, there was a feeling among Shapiro’s team that the meeting didn’t go as well as it could have, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News. Later Sunday, after the interview, Shapiro made a phone call to Harris’ team, indicating he had reservations about leaving his job as governor, sources said.
Walz, on the other hand, had an indication Monday night that he would be chosen as Harris’ running mate, sources familiar with the matter said.
Harris reached his decision Monday and told a small group of staff, sources said. She didn’t call Walz until Tuesday morning.